Hubs of kosher retail have come to be safe havens for the community. But that sense of security was shattered following a horrific terrorist attack in Golders Green.
As the text pinged on my phone a single glance was enough to make clear I wasn't the intended recipient. It read: 'Angela makes a nice living being vocal and opinionated'. For a moment, I froze.
Village life carries huge appeal for those who dream of the gentle rhythm of a close-knit community, a tidy front garden, and the feeling that the bustle of the wider world is somewhere else.
The Heaton Park synagogue was my family's place of worship for decades. On Jewish festivals and sporadic Sabbath days, my late mum, my sister and I would go together.
There are some women who possess the kind of effortless elegance and air of accomplishment that makes the rest of us feel undone, untidy and, well, inadequate. I met one such creature recently.
Waking the morning after the birthday party, with a slightly foggy curtain effect over my upper right eye, I just presumed the mix of booze and boogying was simply taking its toll.
'Hello stranger. How are you? I haven't seen you for years!' Not wishing to appear rude, I frantically combed her appearance for clues. Yet her pinched face and slack jawline failed to ring any bells.
The UK is certainly blessed with countless 'beach shack' eateries, offering everything from a traditional toastie to exotic curries and smart bistro fayre. Here, we pick out 25 of Britain's best.